Course Attachments

Textbooks

Patterns and sequences, sets, the structure of various numeration systems, the four fundamentaloperations of arithmetic, integers, rational numbers, and elementary number theory. This course stresses conceptual understanding of mathematics through concrete examples, models, multiple representations of ideas and concepts, and processes of mathematical reasoning.

The following table lists the topics to be treated in our textbook:

1. An Introduction to Problem Solving (Ch. 1)

4. Integers and Number Theory (Ch. 5)

2. Numeration Systems and Sets (Ch. 2)

5. Rational Numbers as Fractions (Ch. 6)

3. Whole Numbers and Their Operations (Ch. 3)

6. Decimals and Real Numbers (Ch. 7)

This course is a mathematical content course for prospective elementary and middle school teachers. The course objectives focus on the mathematical content needs of those preparing to teach prekindergarten through grade 8, to include mathematical content which addresses Standards I, II, V, and VI of the TExES Mathematics Generalist EC-6 Standards and the TExES Mathematics 4-8 Standards. These standards are stated below:

Standard I. Number Concepts: The mathematics teacher understands and uses numbers, number systems and their structure, operations and algorithms, quantitative reasoning, and technology appropriate to teach the statewide curriculum (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills [TEKS]) in order to prepare students to use mathematics.

Standard II. Patterns and Algebra: The mathematics teacher understands and uses patterns, relations, functions, algebraic reasoning, analysis, and technology appropriate to teach the statewide curriculum (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills [TEKS]) in order to prepare students to use mathematics.

Standard V. Mathematical Processes: The mathematics teacher understands and uses mathematical processes to reason mathematically, to solve mathematical problems, to make mathematical connections within and outside of mathematics, and to communicate mathematically.

Standard VI. Mathematical Perspectives: The mathematics teacher understands the historical development of mathematical ideas, the interrelationship between society and mathematics, the structure of mathematics, and the evolving nature of mathematics and mathematical knowledge.

1The Arithmetic Proficiency Exam is for you to demonstrate your skills with basic arithmetic, as these skills that are essential to effectively teaching elementary/middle school mathematics. You must earn at least an 80% on the exam to receive a positive score for the exam. Scores under 80% are recorded as a zero. A study guide and practice exam will be provided to help you prepare for the exam. The exam will be given once in-class (Feb. 6th). For any attempt in which you do not pass the exam, you must come to my office and go through missed problems with me prior to retaking the exam. You may have a total of three attempts to pass the exam. Attempts beyond the first are done outside of class and it is up to you to schedule retakes with me during office hours or mutually agreeable times. The deadline for passing the arithmetic proficiency exam is March 9th.

The standard percentage grading scale of 90-80-70-60 will be used to assign course grades.

Grading Standards

See Course Requirements

Final Exam

5/9/2012 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Submission Format Policy

The final exam and all other exams will be taken in class.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Make-up exams and are not generally given; however, such exams may be given for an absence that is a result of a documented medical or personal emergency. If a student is going to miss an exam due to an approved university activity, the student should request to take the exam early. For missed exams, timely notification (for emergencies, on or before the scheduled day of the exam, and for approved university activities, a week prior to the scheduled day of the exam) is necessary to receive consideration to make up the missed exam or take the exam early. Once an exam has been returned to the class, it is not possible to take a make-up. No student will be allowed to make up more than one exam.

Homework will be assigned regularly from the book, as well as occasionally from class handouts. Many assigned problems from the book have answers in the back of the book. For these problems you should check your answers with those in the back of the book and seek help as needed. Additional problems will be assigned in which answers are not given in the back of the book. These problems will be turned in, and most will be graded. Late homework will not be accepted except for documented medical or personal emergencies (limit: 2 late homework assignments). A few of your lowest homework scores will be dropped prior to determining your Daily Work Average.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.
Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.
We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.
We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.
Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Any student who accumulates more than 3 absences prior to March 19th (last day to withdraw from any class) will be required to withdraw from the class or the instructor will process a withdrawal with an assigned grade of “F” or “WF.” Further, any student with more than 5 absences at the end of the semester is subject to a one letter grade reduction in her/his course average. Exceptions to this attendance policy may be made by the instructor for an extenuating circumstance, but it is the responsibility of the student to request, in writing, the exception. The request should include an explanation of the extenuating circumstance and provide appropriate documentation verifying the extenuating circumstance.

Other Policies

Calculator: Calculators may not be used on the Arithmetic Proficiency Exam. For most other work calculators will be approved for use. Calculators on cell phones are not approved for use.

Cell Phones and Pagers: Please turn these off and put them away during class. Incompliant students will be dropped from the class.

Adhering to Scheduled Class Time: Students who need to leave class early should have permission from the instructor or be counted absent for the entire class period. Students should make every effort to arrive to class on time and remain for the entire period. Excessively leaving class early or arriving to class late will result in dismissal from the class with a grade of F.

Student Rights: All students should refer to the MSU Student Handbook for information related to student responsibilities, rights and activities. Topics such as Student Affairs and Student Life, Academic Issues, Financial Issues, University Policies and Procedures, and Code of Student Conduct are included in this handbook.

Cheating: Evidence of cheating on any of the assessments from which your course grade will be determined will result in a grade of zero on the evaluated work and possibly a grade of F in the course. No grades of zero that result from cheating will be dropped when course averages are computed.

Disability Policy: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Writing Proficiency Requirement

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.